DoKodemo Taiko

About us

Sharing the joy of taiko and Japanese culture—everywhere and anywhere.

DoKodemo Taiko is a community-based Japanese drumming ensemble dedicated to learning, sharing, and enjoying the powerful art of taiko. Our name, DoKodemo (どこでも), means “everywhere” or “anywhere,” reflecting our belief that the joy of taiko can reach people in every community and bring people together through rhythm, movement, energy, and harmony.

We are a volunteer-run group where people of different backgrounds and experiences  come together to learn and practice taiko, develop teamwork, and create positive experiences through music and movement. Whether performing for a community event, celebrating Japanese culture, or gathering to practice, we strive to share the spirit of taiko with enthusiasm, openness, and joy.  

We are based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and we are active primarily in central North Carolina.   However, if there is any opportunity for us to share the joy of Taiko and Japanese culture, we will try to be there!

We do our best to honor traditional Japanese Taiko by  performing many traditional Japanese taiko songs.  We learn  taiko skills and techniques from our Taiko Sensei (mentors)  from Japan  and strive to practice our taiko in a traditional way. 

Our Mission

Learn and enjoy taiko and share Japanese culture.

We explore the Japanese cultural traditions and principles that make taiko more than music through the rhythm of the drums. Taiko brings together ki (energy and spirit) and ai (harmony and connection), encouraging us to listen to one another, support our fellow performers, and create something beautiful together.

DoKodemo Taiko welcomes opportunities to share the spirit of taiko with local communities, cultural celebrations, festivals, senior communities, schools, and other organizations. Wherever we go, our goal is to bring people together through the universal language of rhythm.

DoKodemo Taiko : The joy of taiko, everywhere and anywhere.

Our Vision

In addition to DoKodemo taiko staying true to Japanese culture, we also envision a future where the powerful rhythms of Japanese taiko meet the musical traditions of cultures around the world.  We hope to incorporate some experimentation and collaboration with artists from diverse backgrounds, and create innovative fusion performances that blend rhythms, sounds and artistic expressions while honoring the traditions that inspire them. 

Rooted in Japan.  Taiko transcends all cultures.  Resonating everywhere.  

The Wave of Taiko

A taiko beat begins with a single strike, but its energy does not end at the drum.  It travels outward, like a wave spreading across the water.  The wave represents the sound, energy, movement and the spirit of taiko.  Each drummer creates an individual beat, yet together those beat  become a larger rhythm,  the ocean. 

For DoKodemo Taiko, the wave also represents the idea of DoKodemo "everywhere" or "anywhere".  Water is everywhere.  Water is the breath of life, flowing through all living things.   Like the sound carried outward by a wave, taiko can reach anyone, anywhere.  The wave is the visual expression of rhythm in motion, energy in connection, and sound travelling outward.  

The wave of taiko that connects people, places and generations.  

Our Teachers and Musical Influences

DoKodemo Taiko is grateful to the teachers and mentors who have influenced our leader's musical journey and helped shape the group's artistic direction.  

Teachers and Mentors

Taro Kobayashi https://taro-taiko.com/profile/

Taishi Yamabe https://www.yamabe-taishi.com/en/